posted
My family doc suggested this compounded medication that is 5HTP & another substance (can't remember at the moment). It is supposedly for weight loss as well as being a serotonin precursor (very much needed for Mepron blues, ugh).
Has anyone used and/or heard of this before?
If not I hope that it can help everyone if attainable. I think I am going to try it once some of my other medications are adjusted (so I can tell what side effects are caused by what)
Am very interested on feedback Posts: 166 | From USA | Registered: Feb 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I would not touch this with a ten foot pole.
Norepinephrine in this can cause some serious problems for lyme patients, especially those with seizure disorders, brain irritation, adrenal exhaustion, cardiac rhythm problems or anxiety.
It is well known by LLMDs that lyme greatly affects the endocrine system and that must be handled with the utmost of care. The weight loss protocol described below could cause tremendous stress on the adrenal system.
This is also not for anyone with liver disease. Those with lyme often have liver dysfunction so this may cause further liver stress.
Also, many with lyme have a form of porphyria, a condition of the liver. That involves metabolism problems with tryptophan (and 5-HTP is a form of tryptophan).
More about the tryptophan problem in this thread: ----------------------
Carbithane - combination of norepinephrine (NR) and serotonin (5-HT) agonists (promoters)
The Medications for the Carbithane Weight Loss Protocol
5-Hydroxytryptophane (5-HTP)
5-Hydroxytryptophane (5-HTP) is a natural molecular intermediate between the amino acid tryptophane and serotonin (5-HT).
Carbidopa
Decreases 5-HTP metabolism in the blood stream thus increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. Phentermine
Causes an increase in norepinephrine and indirectly is a dopamine promoter (agonist) and to a lesser extent, an indirect serotonin agonist. It does not create more dopamine or serotonin, as does 5-HTP. Instead it increases their concentration in the synapse, the juncture between two cells.
. . .
Contraindications to the Carbithane Protocol.
Advanced arteriosclerosis Moderate to severe high blood pressure Glaucoma Post stroke Cancer patients Liver disease AIDS Pregnancy Nursing mothers
Patients under 16 years of age
Medications
Antidepressant drugs Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (during or within 14 days of administration) Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's, e.g., Prozac, Zoloft) Tricyclic Medications
Adverse Reactions
Dryness of mouth Restlessness, dizziness Shortness of breath Insomnia Headache Nausea Allergic rash
There is a rare condition that can occur (serotonin syndrome), when other medications are taken that also cause changes in brain serotonin levels, especially if antidepressant drugs are taken with the carbithane protocol (this is very rare).
Do not take any antidepressant medications while on the carbithane protocol. The rare syndrome causes confusion, agitation, fever, shivering, euphoria, sustained rapid eye movement, restlessness, feeling drunk and dizziness . . . . -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
. . . It seems likely that these bacterial species could serve as biological indicators of a developing overweight condition. Of even greater interest, and the subject of future research, is the possibility that oral bacteria may participate in the pathology that leads to obesity. . . .
==============================
Inflammation (a result of infection) is also a major part of weight gain with chronic infections such as lyme. Inflammation is a result of infection but also of other toxins in the body (including heavy metals).
Parasitic infections also need to be addressed as they are common in lyme and also cause obesity and inflammation.
Some key antioxidants can help to reduce inflammation that is a result of excess cytokine production (again, a result of infection).
===============================
TREATING INFECTION is the first role of any weight management plan for lyme patients. And lyme is usually not the only infection present. Be sure that all coinfections have been considered and addressed.
There are much safer ways to attain weight loss but treating infection is the main way to do that and it takes time. If you are eating the most healthful foods you can, and getting moderate non-aerobic exercise as per Dr. B's guidelines, you may just have to be patient with your body.
Adrenal support is also key to weight normalization as is sleep. Did you know that adrenal dysfunction is a cause of depression? When adrenals are supported, depression usually lifts. Sleep improves (and that help weight management).
Again, patience, self-acceptance and self-love are key.
When the infection(s) finally clear, excess weight often just sort of falls off, so to speak. Many report this result, really.
Just take the best care of yourself as you can. Drop all the old assumptions and don't listen to criticism or compare yourself with some perfect ideal. If you do the best you can and attend to infections and support measures, you can get to more healthful place - and that will naturally include weight stabilization.
** Nutritional Supplements in Disseminated Lyme Disease **
J.J. Burrascano, Jr., MD (2008) - Four pages
============================
ADRENAL LINKS: -----------------
This book is specific to lyme and other chronic stealth infections. The author discusses the endocrine connection and effects of STRESS on a person with such infections. You can read customer reviews and look inside the book at this link to its page at Amazon.
THE POTBELLY SYNDROME: How Common Germs Cause Obesity, Diabetes, And Heart Disease (Paperback) - 2005
by Russell Farris and Per Marin, MD, PhD
==================
Remember that lyme really messes up the HPA axis (Hypothalamus/pituitary/adrenal network). The pituitary has much to do with weight/growth. Mess up any part of the endocrine system and other parts suffer, too.
Curcumin Prevents Some Stress-Related Changes (By CP Staff)
Excerpts:
A recently published study investigated the effects of curcumin, a constituent of the botanical turmeric, on changes in cognition and memory caused by stress. . . .
. . . In this new study, researchers investigated the effect of curcumin supplementation on stress-induced learning defects in mice. . . .
. . . In addition, curcumin reversed the stress-induced increase in the levels of serum corticosterone, the primary hormone secreted during the stress response. . . .
. . . The researchers concluded, ``Thus, curcumin may be an effective therapeutic for learning and memory disturbances as was seen within these stress models, and
its neuroprotective effect was mediated in part by normalizing the corticosterone response, resulting in down-regulating of the phosphorylated calcium/calmodulin kinase II and glutamate receptor levels.''
===========================
This is not a lyme book.
This book has only one reference to lyme (in the historical use of sarsarparilla for another spirochetal infection). However, it is a vital first book to read - or a reference - for anyone interested in understanding nutritional methods.
Search for Ashwagandha; Cordyceps; Siberian Ginseng in this book:
Graciously, much of this book is on line. It can also be purchased from this site or through Amazon where you can look inside the book and see many customer reviews.
The Rhodiola Revolution byt Richard P. Brown, MD and Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD, et.al.
See this at Amazon.
======================
If help beyond supplements is needed, sometimes LLMDs will prescribe LOW DOSE CORTEF (Hydrocortisone).
While steroids are dangerous with lyme, the low-dose Cortef is more like the body should be producing, but can't and lyme patients who need it generally do very well with it. A few may not be able to handle it.
Usually, the adrenal supplements are employed first.
For many good past LymeNet Threads, you can search here: -------------------------------
posted
WOW! That is excellent advise Keebler! I hope I didn't misdirect anyone
I was mainly going to take it for depression alone (even though I am 35 lbs overweight)as my pcp said the 5 htp would do that.
Before he even mentioned this compound I had purchased 5 htp but haven't taken it yet. I didn't know if it was a good idea.
Have you had any experience with it?
I am on Lamictal (for the depression) but feel so flat and lifeless and irritable. I am going to wean off of it and increase the Lithium Orotate for brain protection as I have Lyme Encephalopathy as well.
I am guessing it will work, who knows, I just want to feel better naturally and drop as many of these synthetics as possible. I cannot wait to get in to see someone who can handle all of these entities.
Btw..is there such a doctor who can handle it all...or does one find that they need to go elsewhere for additional supplimentation guidance?
Did you ever find/take the adrenal suppliments we talked about?
Posts: 166 | From USA | Registered: Feb 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- My ND recently gave me this.This is one of the best formulas I've ever taken.
Increase the Lithium Orotate? I would be very careful with that. VERY low dose is what's best, most often. Get advice from a LLMD on this, first.
I've had several tries over time with 5-HTP, all disaster. Others here have done better but I'd start with a mere trace of it - well, really, I'd avoid it. There are far better things, as far as I'm concerned.
But it really clobbered me so I can't bring myself to say, oh, try it and see for yourself. But I do have two kinds of porphryia. Still, some involvement with elevated porphyrins is not uncommon with lyme and other stealth infections that stress the liver.
MAGNESIUM really is the first line of defense against depression. Liver support, too. Fatty acids. Good protein. Eating enough food. Yes, enough food. Too often, those who are overweight don't eat enough good food.
The adrenal details above are invaluable. I hope you can study all that.
Sleep also influences weight. As it nears 11 pm, I realize I'm on the computer one or two hours later than my eyes should be exposed to this light. It's important to turn the lights down by 10 pm. ----------------------------------
Topic: How to find a LL ND (naturopathic doctor), acupuncturist, etc.
Includes how to find an ILADS-educated LL ND, an Acupuncturist, a doctor of Oriental Medicine (O.M.D.), or a doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine (D.Ay.), certified herbalists or nutritionists, etc.
Includes many articles and books on complementary / integrative methods. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Thanks! I am turning off the lights now! *guilt sets in, thirst for direction remains* Night...
Posts: 166 | From USA | Registered: Feb 2010
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